Recently I saw Neil Young & The Promise of the Real at Red Rocks. The tour that was in promotion of Young’s new album “The Monsanto Years,” which was written to spread the word about the evils of Monsanto, and the corporate takeover of our country, our food and in essence, our livelihoods. Using his voice not only to entertain but to educate and inspire activism, Neil Young is once again at the top of my favorite artists. And, for almost 70, he rocked the guitar.
In the spirit of activism, I’d like to share with you Rosemary Gladstar’s (in)famous Fire Cider Recipe. For those of you unaware, the name Fire Cider has been trademarked and the company that owns the TM is suing herbalists that are actively fighting the trademark to stop making their products also called Fire Cider. Rosemary Gladstar wants the name to be available to Anyone because it is the right of all herbalists to make and sell these collectively held recipes. To join the fight, make and share Fire Cider to your friends and family. To help with legal costs or to donate to the cause, visit their website.
Recipe: Fire Cider
Ingredients:
½ cup grated fresh horseradish root
½ cup or more fresh chopped onions
¼ cup or more chopped garlic
¼ cup or more grated ginger
Chopped fresh or dried cayenne pepper “to taste.” Can be whole or powdered.
“To taste” means should be hot, but not so hot you can’t tolerate it. Better to make it a little milder than too hot; you can always add more pepper later if necessary.
Optional ingredients: Turmeric, Echinacea, cinnamon, etc.
Instructions:
- Place herbs in a half-gallon canning jar and cover with enough raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar to cover the herbs by at least three to four inches. Cover tightly with a tight fitting lid.
- Place jar in a warm place and let for three to four weeks. Best to shake every day to help in the maceration process.
- After three to four weeks, strain out the herbs, and reserve the liquid.
- Add honey “to taste.” Warm the honey first so it mixes in well. “To Taste’ means your Fire Cider should taste hot, spicy, and sweet. “ A little bit of honey helps the medicine go down……”
- Re-bottle and enjoy! Fire Cider will keep for several months unrefrigerated if stored in a cool pantry. But it’s better to store in the refrigerator if you’ve room.
- A small shot glass daily serves as an excellent tonic (or take teaspoons if you feel a cold coming on)
- Take it more frequently if necessary to help your immune system do battle.
What cause are you passionate about? As Bob Marley would say, “Wake up and Live!” It’s time we stand up for what we believe in and become advocates for ourselves and the planet.